All-Star games all about fun

Dean Breshears (2) of Columbia River tries to throw a runner out at home off a run-scoring single for the American League team during the first game of the Curt Daniels Clark County Senior All-Star Games at Propstra Stadium. The American League beat the National League, 11-4. (Troy Wayrynen/The Columbian)

In a softball game in Battle Ground, an umpire switched positions with a fielder.

In a baseball game in Vancouver, the linescore went a full eight innings, despite the home team being well ahead on the scoreboard.

Nothing wrong here: Just things were a little different, i.e. fun, in the all-star games Wednesday.

The Red team won both games of the 2009 Southwest Washington Senior All-Star Softball Showcase at Battle Ground High School, then the American League swept a baseball doubleheader at the Curt Daniels Clark County Senior All-Star Games at Propstra Stadium.

Tyeler Yamaguchi of Skyview was named the MVP of the first baseball game. He had a two-run single and also got the pitching victory in a an 11-4 victory.

"It was a last chance to wear the high school unis," he said. "It was nice to sit on the same bench with guys you normally wouldn’t have sat with."

Jeff Garmire of Mountain View got the nod for the nightcap’s MVP. He hit a two-run triple and got the pitching win in a 9-4 victory.

"You’re playing with guys you’ve been pitching to your whole life. It’s a really nice way to end high school sports," said Garmire, a three-sport athlete for the Thunder. "It’s the very end of everything I’ve done. It’s a great way to go out, wearing a Mountain View jersey."

Both players were presented plaques for their MVPs in honor of Cpl. Jeremiah Jewel Johnson, who was killed in Iraq in 2007. Johnson, a baseball standout in his own right, graduated from Prairie in 2001.

"It’s the first time I’ve ever been named an MVP," Yamaguchi said. "It’s so surreal. I just came out here doing what I love to do. This is such an honor."

Cameron Pape of Mountain View High School and Max Beatty of Fort Vancouver each had two-run home runs in the second game.

"That’s Beatty with two t’s," Beatty said.

While the rules of the game bend a bit for the baseball games — eight full innings despite the score and a liberal use of substitutes — the softball showcase went way overboard. And no one was complaining.

An umpire gave his hat to Battle Ground’s Michele Levi and took her glove to play defense. The final inning featured both teams playing their full rosters in the field. So when Sam Codi of Battle Ground got a hit, she really earned it, against 12 fielders.

"I don’t bunt normally, but there was no way I was going to get it past six outfielders," Codi said. "It turned out to be a pretty decent bunt."

The left-hander dragged one to an open area and easily made it to first base without a play.

"This is fun. I played in the all-star basketball game, and that was more intense," she said. "This was a lot more fun with friends, a fun atmosphere."

The Red team won the first game 2-1, then took the second game 7-6.

Ridgefield’s Abbey Wulf had an exciting day.

She caught a pop foul on one batter for an out. After the next pitch, she threw out a would-be stealer.

"It’s great to meet new people, girls you’ve played against all season," Wulf said.

As a catcher, she also got to be the backstop for one of the best in the state. R.A. Long pitcher Baily Harris has signed with the University of Washington.

"Now I can say I caught for a U-Dub pitcher," Wulf said.

Wulf also had a couple of hits on the day. Codi, meanwhile, had three hits, including a double.

On the Blue team, Jamie Henderson of Union combined for three hits in the two five-inning games. Mai Galusha of Battle Ground had two doubles, and Mountain View’s Kelly Lowe had two hits.

While scores and some statistics were kept, for the senior baseball and softball players, Wednesday was just a chance to get on the field one last time sporting their team colors.